Questions Loom about Mom in NY Crash that Killed 8

Diane Schuler was a devoted mother admired for her competence, ease with children and sense of humor. Never, her family said, had there been a more responsible and trusted friend or caregiver.

So far, no one can pinpoint why Schuler, 36, drove the wrong wayon a familiar suburban New York parkway for nearly 2 miles beforeslamming head-on into another vehicle, killing herself and sevenothers.

State police investigating the fiery July 26 wreck on the Taconic State Parkway are examining a phone call Schuler made to her brother shortly before the crash. She was taking her two children and three nieces home from an upstate camping trip at the time.

A medical examiner is digging deeper for answers after rulingthat Schuler didn't have a heart attack or stroke behind the wheel,and plans further testing to determine whether she had signs of anadvanced diabetic condition.

The crash - the worst in the parkway's 75-year history - killedSchuler, her 2-year-old daughter and three nieces ages 5,7 and 8,as well as three Yonkers men in the SUV hit by her minivan. OnlySchuler's 5-year-old son survived.

"I have never heard of eight people being killed in an accidentof this kind," said Peter Plante, a retired Connecticut statetrooper and traffic accident reconstruction expert. "It's almostas if it were a perfect storm of circumstances with so many peoplein each vehicle."

Douglas Hayden, an attorney and spokesman for the Long Islandfamily, declined comment on the investigation Friday.

The accident happened on a sunny and clear summer afternoon inBriarcliff Manor on a route from upstate New York to Long Islandthat Schuler had driven many times before. She found herself goingsouth in the northbound lanes as motorists sought in vain to gether attention; six drivers called 911 before the collision.

One of the few clues state police have is a telephoneconversation between Schuler and her brother, Warren Hance, thefather of the older girls who died. About a half-hour before thewreck, Schuler called Hance at his home in Floral Park and seemeddisoriented, saying she was having trouble seeing. Her husband hadleft the campground earlier Sunday for a fishing trip, police said.

At one point, Hance's 8-year-old daughter Emma took her aunt'scell phone and spoke to her father, indicating the van had justcrossed the Tappan Zee Bridge south into Westchester County. Hancethen told his sister to stay put and he would drive from LongIsland to meet her, instructions she disregarded.

Family friend Lisa Acosta said the Schulers camped almost everyweekend at the same upstate park, and said Schuler knew the routeso well she could have driven it blindfolded.

"I don't understand," said Acosta. "It's a really, really sadthing."

Schuler's cell phone was left at the parking area south of thebridge, where she last spoke to her brother. A motorist found itlater in the day.

"People just don't have a hypoglycemic crisis out of theblue," said Baden, who has been an expert witness in casesinvolving celebrities such as John Belushi, O.J. Simpson, PhilSpector and David Carradine. "The family would know right away ifthis woman had issues with diabetes."

Baden said other toxicology testing results, due within four tosix weeks, could yield some answers.

"They didn't see anything in the autopsy that could account forthis behavior," he said. "Now they are going under the microscopeto see if they can find something."

Ashar said her testing also has ruled out carbon monoxidepoisoning as a possible cause.

Except for issuing a written statement about the victims, theSchuler and Hance families have chosen to grieve privately.

"Diane was an accomplished working mother who balanced herresponsibilities with grace; she always put her children before anyother priorities," the family statement said.

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